2 cyclists shoot at promoter in Titagarh

Kolkata: Two youths on bicycle shot twice at a builder at point-blank range and pedalled away at Titagarh in North 24-Parganas on Wednesday morning.
The victim, Ahmed Ali (42), who was hit by the bullets in his jaw and back, was first taken to Barrackpore BN Bose Hospital from where he was shifted to RG Kar Hospital. No one has been arrested yet.
The police said the incident took place around 11.30am when Ali, a small-time promoter and also building material supplier, was chatting with his friends near his home on G C Road.Two youths came on a cycle and stopped in front of Ali. "The two whipped out their guns and fired at him at point-blank range. Those standing nearby scampered away. As the first bullet pierced Ali's jaw, he tried to run but collapsed on being hit by a second bullet in his back," a witness said. Though onlookers tried to catch the accused, the two rode away, firing indiscriminately.
According to a source, Ali was into realty business besides supplying material. "He was earlier a land-broker. Associated with a syndicate in Khardah-Titagarh, Ali got entangled in a rivalry with another team. A couple of weeks ago, he was threatened by some armed bike-borne people at a construction site at Sukhchar near Khardah," said Ali's neighbour.
Local councillor Nausad Alam said, "We have asked the police to take a stern action against the culprits. The daylight shooting triggered a panic in the area. The police should be more active to stop criminal activities," he said.
The police suspect business rivalry behind the attack. "We suspect a dispute over some real estate deal to be the motive. We are waiting to record the statement of Ali, who is undergoing treatment at R G Kar. Some persons have been detained," said a senior officer at the Barrackpore police commissionerate.